It's early on a Thursday morning and flight attendant Bette Nash has just strolled up to Gate 19 at Reagan National Airport, where American Airlines Flight 2160 bound for Boston is parked and preparing for boarding. As she pauses at the counter to adjust her scarf, a 20-something guy looks up. He lets out a gasp. "Oh, my God," he says excitedly. "Are you Bette Nash? Can I have your picture?"

Window shades up, tables stowed, seat in upright positions and why the cabin crew dim the lights during take off, these are things passengers often take for granted. Didn't know though that all these are for safety purposes? When a flight attendant tells you to put your seat in an upright position, put up your window shades, and to stow your tables all during take off, please do obey as not following them can be fatal, if not to you, it may be to the passenger beside you.